Variety summit taps into online current

Eisner, Eun among execs who share insights

Entertainment and technology came together at Variety’s one-day summit Monday at Loews Santa Monica. Highlights included a conversation with Michael Eisner, keynote conversation with AOL Media and Studios topper David Eun, plus a discussion on the state of TV biz with FX prez John Landgraf and panels on the evolution of the 30-second commercial and Who Is the King of the Digital Living Room.

Playing the Social Game:

Michael Eisner: “Technology has opened up a new way to play, a new way to be entertained. … This new technology only gives people in their leisure time more things to do. And that may take away story-driven material.”

Keynote Conversation:

During an afternoon discussion with Variety ‘s Dana Harris, David Eun, prexy of AOL Media and Studios, said: “We believe that if you can become part of the regular viewing of online audiences there is a huge business and huge opportunity. … It’s a challenge, because there’s so much choice out there and you have to keep yourself relevant. “At any given point in time during the day, we have as many or more people as any given television network.”

State of the TV Business:

Showtime’s David Nevins: Broadcasters are “still in the business of maximizing advertising revenue. … They’ve got to make as much money as they can with their schedule.”

Navigating Social Media:

Hardie Tankersley of Fox Broadcasting, which keeps close tabs on its Facebook fans: “In an afternoon, if you see some message breaking … you have to be able to react to it. Give them more, give them less. You have to be in tune to it.”

Branded Content and the Evolution of the 30-Second Spot:

Turner Entertainment’s Linda Yaccarino, commenting on the delicate situation of forcing branding into original content: “It really has to be that perfect balance between the art side of the business and the commerce.”